Immigration Reform Hangs In The Balance

CHATTANOOGA,TN, (WDEF)-"We always have to remember we are a nation of immigrants we are just coming to terms with our laws by which to adjudicate that." Chattanooga immigration attorney Terry Olsen wants leaders from both sides to talk face to face with President Obama.

"I think you can have increased enforcement, i think you can give a pathway to people here and beyond increase avenues to come to the US that also benefit our area and also our US economically."

The president’s proposed reform aims to protect parents of children who arrived in the US, if their children are either current US citizens or legal permanent residents.

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The program is called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or (DACA).

But it was shot down by U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen of Texas and the majority of Congress.

Congressman Chuck Fleischmann,"Hopefully the president will back off of this initiative of his sit down and work with Congress so we can get meaningful action in the immigration realm, we have to keep our borders secure, reward those who are playing by the rules and we have got to keep the American people safe."

Congressman Scott DesJarlais,"We are just not going to pay for this unconstitutional action as of now there is a federal judge who agrees with us, but the Senate refuses to get the immigrants on board and fund the DHS as it should be so apparently we are going to have a showdown."

Congressman DesJarlais tells News 12 he is concerned that illegal immigrants would be given social security cards and would then sign up to vote.

Attorney Terry Olsen feel this should not be a concern as most immigrants are only going work authorization and driver’s licenses but are restricted from voter enrollment.

26 States have opposed the executive immigration order by President Obama including Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Texas